Nuclear Rocket Engine Dynamics Study

The Blacklight Rocket Engine

Executive Summary This report summarizes the final project results for the period of May 1, 2002 through November 30, 2002 for the NIAC CP 01-02 Phase I study, "The BlackLight Rocket Engine". The objective of the Phase I study was to assess the potential of low pressure, mixed gas hydrogen plasmas (i.e. the BlackLight Process) toward the development of high performance space propulsion systems.

A Reusable Rocket Engine Intelligent Control

Electric Rocket Engine System R&D

1. Pulsed Plasma Thruster Pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) are expected to be used as a thruster for a small satellite. The PPT has some features superior to other kinds of electric propulsion. It has no sealing part, simple structure and high reliability, which are benefits of using a solid propellant, mainly Teflon (poly-tetrafluoroethylene: PTFE). However, performances of PPTs are generally lo...

Design Optimization of Splitter Blades for Rocket Engine Turbopump Design Optimization of Splitter Blades for Rocket Engine Turbopump

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Nonlinear theory of combustion stability in liquid rocket engine based on chemistry dynamics

Detailed models of combustion instability based on chemistry dynamics are developed. The results show that large activation energy goes against the combustion stability. The heat transfer coefficient between the wall and the combust gas is an important bifurcation parameter for the combustion instability. The acoustics modes of the chamber are in competition and cooperation with each other for ...